Perhaps a flat fee for cancelling ADR's

[katallo]

Friends just returned and I had a thought on the credit card requirement for ADR’s. There were 6 in their party. Had dinner reservations for six nights. On the 2nd night, their son began with the stomach flu at noon. By 3pm, another child felt poorly. They called at 12:30 to cancel the reservations for the evening. They were charged $60. No one can predict when an illness will hit a family. I can understand the thought behind a credit card hold. But, as others have stated Disney will fill these tables with walk in’s. Just a thought, charge a flat fee for canceling less than 24 hours…$20.00 or $25.00

Many people have large families and to think they will be penalized $50-$70 for a cancellation is a true hardship. It was a 24 hour virus. Their solution was to cancel all of their upcoming dinner reservations. They had a car and went to Columbia in Celebration, Bahama Breeze and Landry’s. I would think Disney would benefit from a $25.00 no show fee and not lose customers to offsite restaurants. Just my opinion.

 

[momandkids]

That's a shame. I am a nurse and I deal with gastrointestinal virus outbreaks frequently. The best thing to do is to stay home (or hotel) when sick so others are not infected. The family did the right thing to cancel but unfortunately got penalized for it.

The abusers of over booking reservations affected it for everyone, including those who truly have valid reasons.

 

[rachel09985]

Make sure to have your friend call to take the charge off and explain the situation! I have had two cancellation charges taken off already due to things that happened! They will for surely get it back: have them call billing 407-828-5630

By the way I totally agree!

 

[smile4stamps]

They usually will not charge the fee if there is an illness. Make sure they call because they should receive the credit back!

 

[katallo]

I will tell them to try. Thanks

 

[maxiesmom]

Just in case your friends didn't know, if even one of them had went to the ADR the fee would be waived. I know some people don't like to split up on vacation. But if you have a few sick people I think getting the healthy ones out of the room help them to rest.

 

[morethananyonex]

Good to hear they're making exceptions for things like illnesses. Hopefully it's a consistent thing, not something that depends on the CM.

While the cancellation policy makes it easier to get ADRs, especially last minute, there's also some not so great side effects. A family who might have otherwise cancelled because of an illness is more tempted to try and tough it out and go, especially a family with more than one child who could get hit with a $50 charge, even if they call and cancel. Also, even if nobody is sick and I just want to change plans, I am more likely to hold onto an ADR as long as possible once I'm past midnight, even if I know I may not make it. Why not? Might as well try and make it if you're going to be out the money no matter what.

I don't know what a good solution that fixes those issues could be, especially the issue of plans changing when nobody is sick. Even with a lower fee, I am still more likely to hold on to the ADR as long as possible since I would be charged anyways. A policy where people would only be charged for no shows may make it harder for last minute ADRs, and may cause some to go unused (although most restaurants could probably fill the spots anyways). All I know is charging $50 if a family of 5 can't make dinner and they cancel when they wake up that morning leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[figmentfan6]

Good to hear they're making exceptions for things like illnesses. Hopefully it's a consistent thing, not something that depends on the CM.

Actually, unless the system has recently changed, the CMs don't get a choice of charge or don't charge. They're presented with a variety of reasons for why the ressie is being cancelled. If they select illness (and a few others, but it was never made really clear which would or wouldn't charge so I never tested them) it will not charge at all. It's important when cancelling to expressly say "We are physically ill and can not make the reservation", and if you're staying on property I suggest cancelling in person at concierge if one of your party is able to so you can be there in person and confirm you have not been charged. This should not be dependent on the CM, but if they aren't told it is an illness they will not select that option.

You should not be charged for illness per the system, so the OP's friend needs to call and explain the situation.

 

[ttintagel]

While I like the credit card hold system in general, 24 hours does seem a bit excessive for a cancellation window. I'm glad to hear that they've been refunding the charge if people call and explain about emergencies.

 

[TDC Nala]

Did they call to cancel and explain that it was due to illness? or did they just cancel?

If they just don't show up, or cancel without any explanation, then yes, they are going to be charged.

Of course it's going to be up to whoever they talk to on the phone as to whether they get a cancellation fee waiver. But WDW probably does not want a reputation of penalizing families for illness regarding a restaurant reservation.

Hopefully it's a consistent thing, not something that depends on the CM.

It's not, and it does. It's kind of late now, but they could try calling and challenging the charge and explaining that it was an illness.

Another solution is for some of the party to keep the reservation - you won't be charged if at least one person shows up.

 

[maxiesmom]

While I like the credit card hold system in general, 24 hours does seem a bit excessive for a cancellation window. I'm glad to hear that they've been refunding the charge if people call and explain about emergencies.

I do too. I just worry that if too many people start using that as an excuse, people who are not really sick, that Disney will think it is just an excuse and change their policy.

 

[NickyKnack]

That's a shame. I am a nurse and I deal with gastrointestinal virus outbreaks frequently. The best thing to do is to stay home (or hotel) when sick so others are not infected. The family did the right thing to cancel but unfortunately got penalized for it.

The abusers of over booking reservations affected it for everyone, including those who truly have valid reasons.

And the worst of it is that I doubt it's hurting those it was aimed at in the first place. After all, if people are willing to buy throw away rooms over fast-passes I can't believe that this would stop those who are bound and determined to "keep their options open" until the last minute.

 

[maxiesmom]

And the worst of it is that I doubt it's hurting those it was aimed at in the first place. After all, if people are willing to buy throw away rooms over fast-passes I can't believe that this would stop those who are bound and determined to "keep their options open" until the last minute.

I think it does. Because it is a hassle to keep track of which ADRs you have to cancel when. Especially when you make a boatload of them.

 

[GillianP1301]

I agree with the suggestion of a flat fee cancellation. That seems like a more fair approach. I also agree with all pp's to challenge the charge. I don't believe there should've been a fee applied due to illness.

My honest opinion of the whole cancellation policy is that it's necessary to avoid high numbers of no shows. I don't think Disney necessarily view the fee as a big revenue contributor (although that is a nice side effect for them), I think the main purpose is really just to force people to be conscientious, who otherwise wouldn't be, about cancelling an ADR they don't intend to keep, even if it is a same day cancellation. It just allows them to more effectively deal with walk up requests.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

And the worst of it is that I doubt it's hurting those it was aimed at in the first place. After all, if people are willing to buy throw away rooms over fast-passes I can't believe that this would stop those who are bound and determined to "keep their options open" until the last minute.

ADRs seems easier to get, so something has changed. I don't think there are enough people who are now unwilling to make ADRs to make much of an impact. It must be preventing people from double booking &/or making an ADR for B, L & D, just in case they're hungry when their ADR rolls around.

I agree with maxiesmom. Sadly, now that's it's been verified on the DIS that they will waive the cancelation penalty for illness, it will probably become the new loophole of choice to cancel at the last minute. I've seen things like that happen here too many times. Eventually, WDW will be forced to change that policy, which will hurt all of us. The exploitation of loopholes here is ridiculous. A few ruin things for everyone, then yell the loudest when there's a change in policy.

 

[TDC Nala]

it hasn't been verified that they WILL waive the fee for illness. They MIGHT waive the fee for illness, but if you don't ask you won't know. If WDW thinks it is becoming a "loophole" it will probably crack down on illness claims.

 

[jimandami]

I think it does. Because it is a hassle to keep track of which ADRs you have to cancel when. Especially when you make a boatload of them.

I think they just find other ways around the whole thing. I have read of people using a Visa gift card to confirm booking, and then using the gift card up so that the can't be charged. Or, I have also read you can just call and change your reservation to a different day (even a day when you aren't going to even be at Disney), because if you change the reservation, you aren't charged. You then go back in and cancel the new reservation....people will do whatever they feel is "necessary" to cheat the system, which unfortunately, leaves the rest of us to deal with the new rules.

 

[FiggieFan]

I actually found all CM's that I dealt with on our recent stay to be very helpful. We had left on Amtrak on a Monday in February and were arriving on a Tuesday. My fiance woke up very ill at 5am and was throwing up violently for hours. By the time I got to Disney, I was in tears. Our room wasn't ready so they made sure they got him one right away. At the time we didn't know if it was a virus or something else that would require medical attention. I had an ADR for Prime Time Cafe that night and went to the concierge desk - the guy looked totally freaked at first and said he couldn't and I said there was no way we could make it and he could charge if he wanted but my fiance had been puking his guts out since 5am. I am usually not so descriptive but I was about to have a complete melt down at that point - he waved the fee due to illness. I also had a tour scheduled for the next morning in MK at 8am, which had a 2 day cancellation fee. I called and explained the situation and asked if I could reschedule for later in my trip instead of canceling and they were great at accomodating that request. We did have an ADR for the Garden View Tea Room a few days later which I did not cancel because I thought we would make it. So we did not get charged the fee, I went alone. I really didn't want too but the policy states as long as one person shows up, they won't charge the fee.
We also had a CRT breakfast at 8:05am one morning and I called early the day before and once again asked when I had to cancel by - the CM told me that I had until 10pm the night before to cancel which surprised me since I had a hard to get breakfast ADR. We sadly ended up cancelling that too the afternoon before - I WILL make it to the castle on my next trip, I hope and pray.
Overall, our trip sucked and I couldn't wait to leave, but I found the staff to be very helpful. I hope people won't try to take advantage of the situation later as WDW does try to work with people. Hopefully if you call and explain they will reverse the charge. Best wishes and pixie dust!

 

[ajwolfe]

Just in case your friends didn't know, if even one of them had went to the ADR the fee would be waived. I know some people don't like to split up on vacation. But if you have a few sick people I think getting the healthy ones out of the room help them to rest.

I was curious about this. We have several ADR's coming up for a party of 9 and there may be one where we all can't show due to travel plans (arrival night for the other family). I wondered how they would handle just 5 out of the 9 of us showing.

 

[katallo]

Did they call to cancel and explain that it was due to illness? or did they just cancel?

If they just don't show up, or cancel without any explanation, then yes, they are going to be charged.

Of course it's going to be up to whoever they talk to on the phone as to whether they get a cancellation fee waiver. But WDW probably does not want a reputation of penalizing families for illness regarding a restaurant reservation.



It's not, and it does. It's kind of late now, but they could try calling and challenging the charge and explaining that it was an illness.

Another solution is for some of the party to keep the reservation - you won't be charged if at least one person shows up.

They told them it was being cancelled for illness, but I told them to try again.